How to use scythed chariots?

Some time back, in one of the many 0.81 Pontos threads, somebody said that the secret of defeating mass pikes was to use scythed chariots. Now, my only experience with chariots was charging a phalanx from behind (fine), watching them whirl round like an electron orbit diagram for a bit (weird), and seeing them all die a few seconds later (oops). It seems I may have done something wrong.

So how do you use chariots against mass phalanxes? Is there some special attack you should turn on? Do you move them through the enemy, or just alongside the enemy, or what? And from what direction?

Any other tips?

I ignore all and any infantry when using the scythed chariots - the true value of the chariots is absolutely massacring cavalry (especially the successor and cataphract types of the east). Use them for that and stay away from all infantry - any infantry, even the weakest kind will mess up up the chariots.

Presumably, you run the chariots in right angles to the phalanxes - though I havn't tried it.

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Originally Posted by Morte66

Now, my only experience with chariots was charging a phalanx from behind (fine), watching them whirl round like an electron orbit diagram for a bit (weird), and seeing them all die a few seconds later (oops).

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Sorry for the useless comment, but I just have to say I couldn´t avoid laughing when picturing this scene :laugh4:

Well I have used them charging the phalanx head on, and they dont die O.O

They just disrupt the phalanx and you can use the infantry on the phalanx after wards....true story

yeah...but besides that eh? lol

I saw that alexander movie and it gave me that idea lol, I dont know if it will work in this version tho

Scythed chariots might survive charging phalanx... Try with celtic chariot.. :wall:

MP is where they come into their own, cause they are very much a suicide unit, so they are pretty useless for extended campigning.

That said, they can be vitall to the pontics, very cheap and will cut up seleukid and Hai heavy cavalry, when you are still to poor to afford your own. Just make sure to support/sreen them with your own light cav (which you should be able to afford), and use your general to mop up the remaing enemy cav after 30s or so, chariots are useless are killing everyone, one man can kill and entire unit, cause they are so clumsy. (I have actualy seen this happen, belive it or not)

In my Pontic campaign, I have a chariot with 3 silver chevrons. It is down to 17 men from 36 (? - not sure. it's been a while). 3 Uses:

1. It scares infantry. Line up behind your line and set to defend or it will charge without fail at the worst moment and disrupt your own line. The "frightened by chariots" is diplayed in enemy info boxes. This causes the enemy units to break sooner and fight less energetically.

2. It is good for bringing wavering units to a complete rout and final demise. Also for mopping up fleeing units.

3. Use as diversion. run to a flanking position and watch AI line up 1-2 units to face it. These will not be facing your main effort.

It would be fun if cavalry or chariots could smash right through a weak formation.

Ummm, they can? especaily chariots, cav can only do it if the enemy is disorganised and low moralle.

From what I've heard, you should order them to move behind the enemy (with guard mode on), so that they just go through the target, ripping apart the formation. Then quickly follow with heavy infantry or cavalry.

half right, only if pos do it from the side, in very long coloum formation. Makes a complete mess of a organsied line, whilst more or less spareing your own.

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Originally Posted by Thaatu

From what I've heard, you should order them to move behind the enemy (with guard mode on), so that they just go through the target, ripping apart the formation. Then quickly follow with heavy infantry or cavalry.

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I think I read something like that, but it's very imprecise. Can anybody say what "move behind" means in this context?

Does it mean move from the front of the enemy to the back, passing through the enemy formation?

Or does it mean move from behind their left to behind their right, just catching their knee tendons with the scythes?

{edit} too slow, Pharnakes got there.

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Originally Posted by Pharnakes

MP is where they come into their own, cause they are very much a suicide unit, so they are pretty useless for extended campigning.

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So you can only build them close to home, and they'll spend more time moving to the war zone than they will fighting there? Oh well, good job I'm building that MIC for other units.

On the plus side, one thing I remember from 0.81 was a very high recovery rate. I lost 10 of 12 chariots in a battle, and I had 12 again at the start of the next turn. We'll see if that persists in 1.0....